Install your fifth-wheel trailer hitch in your truck bed with this kit. Custom brackets reduce the amount of time required to install the hitch. Brackets, base rails, and hardware included. 1-800-940-8924 to order Demco 5th wheel hitch rails part number DM8552026-71 or order online at etrailer.com. Free expert support on all Demco products. Great prices and Fastest Shipping for Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches. 5th Wheel Hitch Rails reviews from real customers.
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Demco 5th Wheel Hitch Rails
- DM8552026-71
Highlights
Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounting brackets install to your truck's frame.
Solid Mounting Base for Your Fifth Wheel Hitch: Above-bed rails create secure attachment points for your hitch.
Compatible with Many Fifth Wheel Hitches: Works with B&W, Curt, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Husky, Reese, and Valley models.
Speeds Up Installation: Custom brackets use existing frame holes so no drilling is required.
Built to Last: Black powder-coated steel resists corrosion for long-term durability.
Everything You Need for Setup: Includes 2 base rails, brackets, and all mounting hardware.
Features to know about
No Drilling: Custom Brackets Make Installation Simple
The custom-fit brackets in this kit line up with existing holes in the frame, so you don’t have to drill anything to get your fifth-wheel hitch installed. The brackets mount under the bed to create solid attachment points for the rails on top, cutting down install time and giving you a clean, factory-style fit.
Works with Different Fifth Wheel Hitches: Industry Standard Rails Offer Flexibility
The included base rails follow the industry-standard pattern, so they work with a wide range of hitches—not just Demco. You can use popular models from B&W, Curt, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Husky, Reese, and Valley. That means you can keep your existing hitch or swap to a different brand later without replacing the rails.
Built to Last: Strong, Corrosion-Resistant Steel
Both the rails and brackets are made from sturdy, black powder-coated steel that stands up to corrosion and road wear. With that kind of durability, the setup stays solid through years of towing. The kit comes complete with two base rails, brackets, and all the hardware needed for installation.
Specs
General
Manufacturer: Demco
Product Title: Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Hitches
Websku: DM8552026-71
Compatibility
Fits: Demco Premier Series 5th-wheel trailer hitch
Also compatible with: B&W, Curt, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Husky, Reese, and Valley above-bed 5th-wheel trailer hitches
Construction and Finish
Material: Steel
Finish: Black powder coated
Corrosion Resistance: Resists corrosion
Installation
Mounting type: Above-bed base rails with custom-fit brackets
Bracket installation: Mounts beneath truck bed to provide attachment points for above-bed rails
Drilling: No drilling required
Bracket design: Mounts to existing holes in vehicle’s frame
Installation time: Reduced due to custom-fit design
Obstacle avoidance: Avoids known obstacles along truck frame
Included Components
Includes: 2 base rails, brackets, and hardware
Origin and Warranty
Made in: USA
Warranty: 5-Year limited warranty
8552026 Demco Custom Bracket Kit for Hijacker Premier Series Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches
6071 Demco Bed Rails for Hijacker Premier Series Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches
It always amazes me that the boxes come from so far away and just a few days later, in fact one day earlier than expected) the box shows up. Now I have to get the parts installed as I bought a fifth wheel trailer and it will have to sit at the dealers until I get the under frame kit and the hitch installed 518981
Gene
6/7/2019
The DEMCO above bed rail kit was installed by an RV dealer and even they said it was one of the best kits theyd seen even though it was harder to install, it was a much better kit. So far not a single complaint after towing a 32 fifth wheel trailer about 2K miles. Im starting a 8K mile trip in July and will have a better idea about the kits quality after returning.
by:
Derrick
06/25/2024
3165087
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See what our Experts say about this Demco 5th Wheel Hitch Rails
I have a couple of different options for your 2017 Ram 3500 Crew Cab. Your truck has a bed height of just over 20 inches so I will recommend some 5th wheel hitches that are adjustable to under 3 inches of that 20 inch mark that you're looking for.
The most economical option for your Ram is the Curt E16 5th Wheel Hitch # C16115 with the Curt Base Rails # C16430-204. This features the Slide Bar Jaw to secure your king pin and has a Gross Towing Weight of 16,000 lbs.
The next step up is... view full answer...
Since you have a short bed 2018 Ram 3500 you will most certainly need a sliding fifth wheel hitch to prevent the nose of the campers from taking out the cab of your Ram when you have to make a sharp turn.
Since you'll be doing this a lot you'll want to spend the extra money and get the Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # DM8550035. This hitch has an autoslide feature which will allow the head to automatically slide back as you turn so that you don't have to constantly get... view full answer...
I reviewed the instructions for the Demco Auto-Slide 5th Wheel Hitch, Item # DM8550035, and the coupling and uncoupling needs to be straight or slightly angled with alignment. It works pretty easily with 10-15 degree angle but anything larger will not allow proper coupling.
If you have a factory rail kit, you will need installation rails Item # DM6099. If you do not have the factory rail kit, you will need Item # DM8552026-71.
I have attached the installation instructions, an article,... view full answer...
In order to install the Demco Autoslide 18K 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch part # DM8550034 (Must Have Side Plates for Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - Above Bed Mount part # DM6003) on a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 you'll need the Demco Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit part # DM8552026-71 which is composed of the Universal Above-Bed Base Rails part # DM6071 and Demco Premier Series Custom Mounting Brackets part # DM8552026.
Unfortunately, we don't offer the... view full answer...
I'm assuming your truck isn't equipped with the OEM pucks in the truck bed.
With the hitch in place, you wouldn't be able to attach the # DM8550034 Demco Autoslide using the # DM8552026-71 rail kit unless the B&W Turnover ball was unbolted from the frame and removed. The Turnover ball hitch would interfere with the rails being installed. Once the rails are installed, if you needed to pull a gooseneck hitch, you could use an adapter plate such as # DM5996.
Or, if a manual slider would... view full answer...
Whether or not you need a slider 5th wheel hitch depends a lot on the design of the trailer. Some 5th wheel trailers have a tapered front that is designed for short bed trucks. Other trailers are narrow enough in general and would not be a problem.
Otherwise you would need to either use a slider hitch or a Sidewinder pin box on the trailer. Most of the time a slider hitch or Sidewinder will be required on a short bed truck so that you can make sharp turns without the trailer hitting the... view full answer...
Since you're going to be using a Sidewinder pin box, you won't need a sliding 5th wheel hitch on your 2014 Ram 3500 short bed without the factory puck package. I recommend going with the Demco Hijacker Premier Series 16k # DM6076P-16K which has a single locking jaw construction for a more secure connection and less rattle. The dual pivoting head will also allow for an easier time connecting to your 5th wheel as well as providing less chucking when pulling. You'll need the above bed rails... view full answer...
A 2015 Ram 3500 dually; now that's a truck! I will be happy to help you out with selecting a 5th wheel trailer hitch. First, if the truck has the factory 5th wheel prep package with the 4 pucks in the bed then you could use a B&W Companion hitch, # BWRVK3600, with a Sidewinder. But there are a couple of things to consider for this set up.
First, Sidewinders only fit certain pin boxes. I would need to know the manufacturer and model number of the pin box. This information should be on a... view full answer...
The Demco fifth wheel rail kit part # DM8552026-71 that you referenced has been confirmed as a fit for your 2015 Ram 3500 short bed and will work with your hitch. view full answer...
I have an automatic sliding hitch for you, but we are not a dealer for Pullrite products, so we do not offer the SuperGlide hitches. Instead, I recommend looking at the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th wheel hitch, # DM8550034. This is an automatic sliding hitch just like the SuperGlide hitch, but it has a few advantages over the SuperGlide.
If your Montana 3100RL has a standard pin box, you do not need to weld a capture plate to the underside of the pin box, which is required for the SuperGlide.... view full answer...
Reese Goosebox 5th wheel trailer couplers do not provide extended turning clearance like what comes from use of a slider hitch or a Sidewinder pivoting pin box. What the Goosebox DOES allow is using a gooseneck trailer ball to tow a 5th wheel trailer.
In your 2018 Ram 3500 6-1/2-foot short-bed pickup you can use a slider hitch and either industry-standard above-bed base rails or an under-bed kit. For example, the Demco Hijacker 21K hitch # DM8550037, which offers a whopping 14-inches of... view full answer...
A cushioned pin box replacement on the trailer will help somewhat with the chucking you are experiencing, but the hitch itself will make the biggest difference, specifically the jaw design that it comes equipped with.
For your 2016 Ram 3500 with the 6-1/2 foot bed (if it does not have the factory rail kit), I recommend going with the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # DM8550035 with the Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit # DM8552026-71. This is an excellent, heavy-duty... view full answer...
The Demco Hijacker Premier Series brackets, part # DM8552016, are confirmed to fit models of the Ram up to 2012 but not your 2016. Which kit fits your truck depends on the size of your Ram:
Part # DM8552030-71 for the 1500
Part # DM8552025-71 for the 2500
Part # DM8552026-71 for the 3500 view full answer...
If your 2016 Ram 3500 Mega Cab has a long bed you would want the B and W Companion Hitch setup that consists of part # BWRVK3500 for the hitch and then part # BWGNRK1314 for the rail kit. This is a 20k setup that many consider to be the nicest around so it would work well for you.
If instead you have a short bed truck and require a slider hitch the best setup is the Demco Hijacker 21k hitch part # DM8550035 which will automatically slide as you make tight turns. For a rail kit you would... view full answer...
If your 2018 Ram 3500 does not have the factory rail kit the Demco Autoslide hitch part # DM8550034 is the correct hitch that you'd need. You'd also need a rail kit to install in the bed of your truck to allow the hitch to install. For that you'd want the Demco kit part # DM8552026-71 which is a custom fit kit for your truck and will work great for the hitch.
If instead you had the factory Ram rail kit installed in your truck instead you'd want the Demco Ram Rail Adapter part # DM6099... view full answer...
I really like the Demco Hijacker Autoslide, part # DM8550035. The hitch has a high quality jaw that holds the king pin very tightly, avoiding much of the chucking and rattling. The # DM8550035 has a 21K capacity, and will slide rearward automatically during sharp turns to provide 14 inches of clearance between the front of the fifth wheel and the rear of the truck cab. No more exiting the truck to release the slider. The # DM8552026-71 install brackets/frame rails are recommended.
If you... view full answer...
The correct Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for a 2014 Ram 3500 is part # DM8550035. Please note, you will still need the Demco Hijacker Premier Series Above-Bed Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit part # DM8552026-71 or the Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter part # DM6099 if you have the factory pucks.
Please note, the highest weight capacity for the Demco Hijacker is 21,000 lbs but so long as the GVWR of the trailer does not exceed this (it doesn't) you'll be good view full answer...
For your 2015 Ram 3500 without an OEM puck system the # DM8552026-71 rail system for the # DM8550034 will fit whether you have a 6-1/2' or 8' bed. view full answer...
Your RBW 16K Xtender Fifth Wheel Hitch is designed to work with standard base rails. I recommend using custom fit installation rails on your 2015 Ram 3500.
The Demco Base Rails and Custom Installation Kit # DM8552026-71 you referenced would work for your Ram and your RBW hitch.
For base rails with an easier installation, I recommend the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Outboard Installation Kit # RP56010-53. The outboard mounting brackets provides easier access to mounting... view full answer...
The Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs # AL88295 are confirmed to fit your 2013 Ram 3500 if it has 4-wheel-drive. The system will mount to the bottom of the frame rails on your truck, so it will also be compatible with the Demco Base Rails and Brackets # DM8552026-71, which install to the sides of the frame.
The LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate is a great system that will drastically reduce the strain on your truck's rear suspension, increase safety, and compensate for uneven... view full answer...
5th wheel towing is possible with short-bed trucks but it is certainly easier with a long bed. Short bed trucks will require either a sliding type hitch or a fixed hitch along with a Sidewinder replacement pin box on the trailer in order for you to have enough turning clearance to avoid trailer-to-cab contact. Long bed trucks avoid this issue completely; they can use standard fixed hitches and a new Sidewinder pin box is not required. You can refer to the linked articles for more on this.
If... view full answer...
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Gene
6/7/2019
The DEMCO above bed rail kit was installed by an RV dealer and even they said it was one of the best kits theyd seen even though it was harder to install, it was a much better kit. So far not a single complaint after towing a 32 fifth wheel trailer about 2K miles. Im starting a 8K mile trip in July and will have a better idea about the kits quality after returning.